• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

The Office: Final Season |OT| It's better to burn out than it is to rust

Status
Not open for further replies.

Dereck

Member
The Lil Romeo line was incredibly random. I didn't know whether to laugh or question if Stanley listened to Lil Romeo at some point in his life.
 

Stumpokapow

listen to the mad man
The graphic design guy who encourages Pam to go to school in S4's Job Fair is the same actor as the Sabre IT guy in S6- (Nelson Franklin), but he's not playing the same character. Weird casting decision.

Man, mid-season 6 really sucks. You get Scott's Tots, you get Michael at the shareholder's meeting, you get the clip show, you get the Jim-Michael co-manager plotline. Yuck.

Michael at the shareholder meeting confidently declares to the board of directors that his branch has "always" been the most profitable branch, but we know that's not true because as recently as two years before that episode his branch was 4th of 5. Also, they hold him up as an example of a shining bright spot in Dunder Mifflin--this after he quit the company and tanked their business for personal gain and they had to spend 60 grand just to reset to status-quo.
 

AstroLad

Hail to the KING baby
The graphic design guy who encourages Pam to go to school in S4's Job Fair is the same actor as the Sabre IT guy in S6- (Nelson Franklin), but he's not playing the same character. Weird casting decision.

Man, mid-season 6 really sucks. You get Scott's Tots, you get Michael at the shareholder's meeting, you get the clip show, you get the Jim-Michael co-manager plotline. Yuck.

Michael at the shareholder meeting confidently declares to the board of directors that his branch has "always" been the most profitable branch, but we know that's not true because as recently as two years before that episode his branch was 4th of 5. Also, they hold him up as an example of a shining bright spot in Dunder Mifflin--this after he quit the company and tanked their business for personal gain and they had to spend 60 grand just to reset to status-quo.
That is one thing that stands out the most to me after season 4 is just the insane level of sloppiness and seeming apathy toward any kind of quality, just no brainer stuff like what you mentioned, horrible green-screen shots etc.
 
The graphic design guy who encourages Pam to go to school in S4's Job Fair is the same actor as the Sabre IT guy in S6- (Nelson Franklin), but he's not playing the same character. Weird casting decision.

Man, mid-season 6 really sucks. You get Scott's Tots, you get Michael at the shareholder's meeting, you get the clip show, you get the Jim-Michael co-manager plotline. Yuck.

Michael at the shareholder meeting confidently declares to the board of directors that his branch has "always" been the most profitable branch, but we know that's not true because as recently as two years before that episode his branch was 4th of 5. Also, they hold him up as an example of a shining bright spot in Dunder Mifflin--this after he quit the company and tanked their business for personal gain and they had to spend 60 grand just to reset to status-quo.

Yeah I noticed that about the Job Fair/Sabre IT guy. What's his name... Garth?

Ugh, thanks for reminding me of the awfulness in Season 6. I think it is the worst Michael Scott season. I enjoyed season 7 much more.
 

oatmeal

Banned
That was one of the worst episodes in awhile.

Really? That's how you end Pam/Jim's fight? They're fine now? Fuck off.

Edit

TheDwight stuff was good, though.
 

Davey Cakes

Member
Yeah, 7 is slightly better than 6 overall and it ends pretty well. To be honest it didn't suffer any less from "Michael fatigue" though. 6, 8, and 9 are mostly on even ground. Each has some highs but also some serious lows. The last season to have a decent good/bad ratio was S5, in my opinion.
 
season 7 ends pretty well but looking over the episode titles on wikipedia im not sure theres much memorable about it

ive rewatched that season only once, and stopped buying the dvd's there
 

VanWinkle

Member
The graphic design guy who encourages Pam to go to school in S4's Job Fair is the same actor as the Sabre IT guy in S6- (Nelson Franklin), but he's not playing the same character. Weird casting decision.

Man, mid-season 6 really sucks. You get Scott's Tots, you get Michael at the shareholder's meeting, you get the clip show, you get the Jim-Michael co-manager plotline. Yuck.

Michael at the shareholder meeting confidently declares to the board of directors that his branch has "always" been the most profitable branch, but we know that's not true because as recently as two years before that episode his branch was 4th of 5. Also, they hold him up as an example of a shining bright spot in Dunder Mifflin--this after he quit the company and tanked their business for personal gain and they had to spend 60 grand just to reset to status-quo.

Season 6 is so bad. I don't really like season 7 but it's still way better than 6.
 

Stumpokapow

listen to the mad man
Dwight and Angela's sex contract, omg I forgot how bad this arc was. Dwight throwing weapons out the side of his car as cops pull him over. Dwight demolishing Jim and Pam's cupboards. OMG OMG
 

BFIB

Member
Dwight and Angela's sex contract, omg I forgot how bad this arc was. Dwight throwing weapons out the side of his car as cops pull him over. Dwight demolishing Jim and Pam's cupboards. OMG OMG

Season 6 is really when the characters became caricatures.

Wasn't that when Angela was watching her cats on a webcam, and went home and was licking the cats?

So stupid......
 

DrEvil

not a medical professional
Remember when Jim went to meet Pam when he proposed at the gas station in the rain? All that rain was CG, there was so much effects work on that shot that just looked great. They shot that on a sunny afternoon, but you'd never know it.. then you get shit like the Green screen wedding and you can visibly see how much they stopped caring about making it look believable.
 

Stumpokapow

listen to the mad man
Remember when Jim went to meet Pam when he proposed at the gas station in the rain? All that rain was CG, there was so much effects work on that shot that just looked great. They shot that on a sunny afternoon, but you'd never know it.. then you get shit like the Green screen wedding and you can visibly see how much they stopped caring about making it look believable.

This Green Screen from the Season 6 "Lazy Scranton" extended cut is the worst the show has ever used hahaha:

kde2vFv.jpg


I guess we can explain it away by arguing that Michael himself did the green screen to make the video.
 

VanWinkle

Member
This Green Screen from the Season 6 "Lazy Scranton" extended cut is the worst the show has ever used hahaha:

kde2vFv.jpg


I guess we can explain it away by arguing that Michael himself did the green screen to make the video.

That one where Michael was supposed to be in New York and I think it was in the end tag of some later episode. Can't remember where but it's pathetic.
 
That one where Michael was supposed to be in New York and I think it was in the end tag of some later episode. Can't remember where but it's pathetic.

I think you have in mind the episode where David Wallace wants to consult Michael on the branch's success while Dwight and Andy go at it over Angela
 
OMG never mind, this is the worst Green Screen the Office has ever done:

http://i.imgur.com/hNeX3hT.png

http://i.imgur.com/8vPZ0N6.png
That scene hjas always bothered me so much. I am a huge huge huge huge huge Office fan, and I think that is the worst scene they've shot in the whole run of the show. There is one scene when Erin was in Florida in season 8 that was shot "outside" in "Florida" and it looked ridiculous too. But that scene looking at the landfill for those sales lead cards was idiotic, agreed. Love the show though, with it's warts and all. Right up to and including this season.
Dwight and Angela's sex contract, omg I forgot how bad this arc was. Dwight throwing weapons out the side of his car as cops pull him over. Dwight demolishing Jim and Pam's cupboards. OMG OMG
I actually loved all of this... Loved Dwight bashing the cabinets with a sledgehammer, listening to metal. I used to know the name of the song they were playing at that moment... found it online somewhere. Now I can't find it. I think the music they use on The Office is mostly excellent.
 

VanWinkle

Member
I think you have in mind the episode where David Wallace wants to consult Michael on the branch's success while Dwight and Andy go at it over Angela

Yeah I think that was it.

And yeah, forgot about that landfill scene. Both incredibly stupid, AND the worst use of green screen, especially because they stayed on that for so long. Looked so bad.
 

G0523

Member
That scene has always bothered me so much. I am a huge huge huge huge huge Office fan, and I think that is the worst scene they've shot in the whole run of the show. There is one scene when Erin was in Florida in season 8 that was shot "outside" in "Florida" and it looked ridiculous too. But that scene looking at the landfill for those sales lead cards was idiotic, agreed. Love the show though, with it's warts and all. Right up to and including this season.

Came in here to post about Erin's green screen. That was easily the worst green screen I've ever seen on this show. Worse than Michael and Dwight at the dump by FAR. It was so awful and noticeable! Could they really not have just filmed outside for that 30 second scene? Or skipped it entirely? It was so unnecessary and sloppy.
 

bndadm

Member
Came in here to post about Erin's green screen. That was easily the worst green screen I've ever seen on this show. Worse than Michael and Dwight at the dump by FAR. It was so awful and noticeable! Could they really not have just filmed outside for that 30 second scene? Or skipped it entirely? It was so unnecessary and sloppy.

From what I remember reading, they added that scene late in production and could not go back to film outside the house (since they would have to re-dress the exterior).

Still though, no real excuse for such shoddy work. Just film in it the street or something instead.

BTW - what is the "green screen wedding" scene everyone keeps referring to? I thought they shot on location at the falls?
 

DrEvil

not a medical professional
OMG never mind, this is the worst Green Screen the Office has ever done:

hNeX3hT.png


8vPZ0N6.png

Yes! I remember when this aired, holy shit.


BTW - what is the "green screen wedding" scene everyone keeps referring to? I thought they shot on location at the falls?


It was the episode two weeks ago when Pam rushes to give Jim the umbrella, they did weird flashbacks to their wedding, but the shot of them at the altar was clearly green screened, and not part of the original wedding ep. It was very noticeable because they had sandwiched it with a real shot from the episode of Michael sitting in the pews.
 

bndadm

Member
It was the episode two weeks ago when Pam rushes to give Jim the umbrella, they did weird flashbacks to their wedding, but the shot of them at the altar was clearly green screened, and not part of the original wedding ep. It was very noticeable because they had sandwiched it with a real shot from the episode of Michael sitting in the pews.

Ah okay thanks. Yeah I missed that episode.
 
Are we to think now that Pam and Jim have a prayer?

Because it REALLY seemed like they didn't. I still think they don't but wow, they sent some mixed messages. Based on how he embraced her, he appears to really be into her still. Almost made me want to hug my own ex.

He appeared to be more into him than she. But I could be reading that wrong.
 

Stumpokapow

listen to the mad man
BTW - what is the "green screen wedding" scene everyone keeps referring to? I thought they shot on location at the falls?

The actual wedding footage was filmed on location; people are referring to the wedding flashback at the end of 9x20 (Paper Airplane). It cuts to a shot of the audience (including Michael!) at Jim and Pam's wedding in the chapel. That's an actual shot, not sure if it was used or not, from the wedding in Niagara. But then there's a cut to Jim and Pam standing next to each other, and besides the fact that both actors have physically changed in the last 3 years, the chromakey is also very poor.

Are we to think now that Pam and Jim have a prayer?

Because it REALLY seemed like they didn't. I still think they don't but wow, they sent some mixed messages. Based on how he embraced her, he appears to really be into her still. Almost made me want to hug my own ex.

He appeared to be more into him than she. But I could be reading that wrong.

She brought him the umbrella--note that it's not raining out, but they did get married while soaking wet and he did propose in the rain so I'm sure that was some intentional imagery there or I'd like to think so--because she didn't want him to go, at least not like that. They say a very lame goodbye and she starts to walk back. He realizes that this isn't just a rough patch, they're actually fucked, so he goes back to her. He starts to open his mouth to try to "win her back" but he realizes that he has absolutely nothing, except that he needs her.

He hugs her, she's clearly caught off guard, it looks like he whispers in her eat, cut to the chapel wedding, she gets into the hug, then she kisses/embraces him. I think we're meant to assume that it's a moment of catharsis for the two and that she realizes that he's still the man she loves, they just need to get the Philly thing out of the way.

That one where Michael was supposed to be in New York and I think it was in the end tag of some later episode. Can't remember where but it's pathetic.

5x12 - The Duel

Couldn't afford to fly Steve Carell from California to New York.

nKOpoNC.png


During the scene there are people awalking around behind him and it makes it even more obvious.

Came in here to post about Erin's green screen. That was easily the worst green screen I've ever seen on this show. Worse than Michael and Dwight at the dump by FAR. It was so awful and noticeable! Could they really not have just filmed outside for that 30 second scene? Or skipped it entirely? It was so unnecessary and sloppy.

I remember that one being pretty bad. I don't have the S8 DVDs though, can someone who does screencap it?

Edit: Just bought the S8 DVDs.
 

DrEvil

not a medical professional
In news that will shock absolutely no one on the planet, Steve Carrell will in fact be in the finale.. Apparently it's a 'cameo', but he'll be there.
 

DrEvil

not a medical professional
obviously idk I just want to see the show end but I'll just tell you now that people might not want that spoiled for them

If anyone who is still watching this show cares about spoilers two episodes from finishing, then dear god they need to watch other television.... NBC put out a press release, it's not really a secret.
 

Downhome

Member
I can't believe that I never noticed those awful green screen shots before. I guess I was more caught up in the episodes or something. I really don't know.
 

Stumpokapow

listen to the mad man
I just finished Season 6 in my rewatch and I totally forgot until now that the season ends with a contrived plotline about Sabre printers catching on fire, Andy narcing out the company to the press (didn't seem to be held against him, LOL), and Michael reading the statement of apology even though he runs one rinky dink little Pennsylvanian branch of a small company acquired by global international mega-firm for some reason because Sabre has no corporate PR and the CEO just hangs out in the Scranton branch conference room.

And Michael reading the apology statement to the press is the reason why Kathy Bates transfers Holly back to Scranton. Edit: I can't remember if that bit is right but that's how the season ends suggesting that's going to happen.

Edit: And Dwight buying the whole business park. LOL. "Wow Dwight you did well this year, you should invest your money in property" *buys a 7-figure business property* How very realistic.

How did I forget how bad of a plot arc that is? Yikes.

Onward ho
TMP3jtTl.jpg
 

Stumpokapow

listen to the mad man
Andy's Play:
- the performances are not particularly good
- in the middle of the show, andy takes a phone call on stage during which he spoils the entire plot of the play while ad libbing in order to justify the interruption
- shortly afterwards a wine bottle rolls from row to row to row, clanging the whole way
- then balloons fly to the ceiling and pop

Flash forward to the end of the play:
- Enthusiastic applause, standing ovation

I understand that Standing Ovation inflation is a thing, but I find it hard to believe that such a performance would have gotten such a warm reception. This is actually a problem with a lot of the Office in the later seasons; it feels like the pathos actually exists in a separate parallel universe from the cringe humour. That's not a problem the British series had, or the first few seasons of the US series, and a large part of why it feels more cartoony.

Scrubs, which was basically a live action cartoon, successfully dealt with that kind of disconnection by using daydreaming as the means of separating the surreal from the real and that worked very well.
 

Grinchy

Banned
Wow I must have repressed any memory of watching season 6. I forgot all about this stuff but now I remember how bad the Sabre storylines were.
 

Plinko

Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
Wow I must have repressed any memory of watching season 6. I forgot all about this stuff but now I remember how bad the Sabre storylines were.

I completely forgot James Spader was even on the show. That's how forgettable that year was.
 

BatDan

Bane? Get them on board, I'll call it in.
I completely forgot James Spader was even on the show. That's how forgettable that year was.

James Spader was on the show?
... Oh right! Him. Yeah that was.... a thing that... happened or something. What was the point of him again?
 

BFIB

Member
James Spader was on the show?
... Oh right! Him. Yeah that was.... a thing that... happened or something. What was the point of him again?

Not sure, but it got Erin in a bikini, and thats OK in my book.

Oh, and Jim to drink and drive.
 

Stumpokapow

listen to the mad man
Oh, and Jim to drink and drive.

Every TV show does this, unfortunately. The Office did it several times earlier. The Dundees episode, the Roy and his Brother Smash the Bar episode, even Andy's Play. Unless the plot specifically notes that they're driving drunk, you're meant to assume they're not even if they got plenty boozed up.
 

Jarnet87

Member
In news that will shock absolutely no one on the planet, Steve Carrell will in fact be in the finale.. Apparently it's a 'cameo', but he'll be there.

I hope they give us one last great Michael Scott moment. Last week was great, hope they continue it with the last 4 episodes.
 
Umm...

So Jim and Pam this week...

Is anyone else kind of sickened by their sudden reconnection? I know Pam is the most relatable and likable character in the show, and we want her happy...but Jim isn't.

There was something sickly sweet about their interactions. Something kind of, off. I didn't like it. The flirting felt forced. The whole time I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don't like Jim and Pam together anymore, I just don't.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom